Commissioning victims’ services

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has devolved funding to police and crime commissioners (PCCs) for the commissioning of specific victims’ services relating to the MoJ commissioning framework.

Over the next twelve months, we will be undertaking a strategic needs assessment which will help us to determine priorities for commissioning victim services.

The funding provided to PCCs by the MoJ has grant conditions which limit the use of the funding. In addition, PCCs are required to use the funding for provision of statutory victim referral services. Until such a time as we can ascertain the costs and implications of those referral services, we will not be in a position to extensively commission any additional or community victims’ services. We are currently working with local and regional partners to evaluate potential options.

A Working Group on commissioning of victims services has been established by the Commissioner, which is attended by Oldham and Stockport Community Safety Partnership representatives, who volunteered as a result of a request made through the Police and Crime Leads meeting.

A local needs assessment is nearing completion which will then be issued to various interested parties such as the Police and Crime structures and LCJB etc, for a sense-check.

It is important to note that the Police and Crime Commissioner is not the sole party responsible for victim services and the funding has limiting grant conditions – The MOJ sees victims as those who have been subject to a crime (and to some extent are in the system): e.g. MOJ definition: “a person who has suffered harm which was directly caused by a criminal offence [ ]….”. It is immaterial about whether a complaint has been made but this doesn’t really take in to account early intervention and prevention.

The Commissioner can’t use MOJ funds for non-criminal anti-social behaviour and the funds are split between capacity building and commissioning services. There is also a cessation of national funding streams whereby each PCC is being asked to use their funding for previously centrally funded schemes.

Other detailed negotiations are taking place with regional PCC’s offices, as part of the grant conditions require that a referral system is established which must meet EU and other legal requirements. A scope is being developed for capacity building.

Funding for New Economy for a Senior Analyst – Justice and Rehabilitation Development. The funding covers two years. To effectively commission victims’ services, assessment and further specified research is needed to ensure that services are effectively targeted and correctly designed.

Increased support and reporting of LGBT hate crime and strengthening existing links with statutory agencies to improve support for hate crime victims across Greater Manchester through a helpline and direct support.

Supporting victims of anti-Semitic hate crime, providing practical support and increased reporting. In 2013, 529 anti-Semitic hate crime incidents were recorded in the UK. A significant proportion of the incidents occurred in Greater Manchester, where one of the two largest UK Jewish communities is located.

Development and delivery of therapeutic services supporting the recovery of children who have been sexually abused. Three services are commissioned with direct referrals across Greater Manchester from children’s safeguarding services.